Project Demo

What You Need

1 ESP8266 NodeMCU module

2 P10 LED panels (2 columns x 1 row)

1 Power supply (suitable for ESP8266 and P10 panels)

- Connecting cables

- DMDESP library (install via Arduino Library Manager)

Wiring

How to Build It

Connect the hardware

Arrange your P10 LED panels in a 2x1 configuration and connect them to each other. Use connecting cables to hook up the data input of the first panel to the ESP8266. Make sure your power supply can adequately power both the ESP8266 and the P10 panels.

Install the DMDESP library

Open the Arduino IDE, go to Tools - Manage Libraries, and search for DMDESP. Install it. This library handles the P10 panel communication so you can focus on the message logic.

Upload the sketch

Download the sketch from GitHub and open it in the Arduino IDE. Modify the teks array to display your own custom message. Select your ESP8266 board and port, then upload.

Power up and test

Power on the ESP8266 and P10 panels. Your custom message should begin scrolling immediately. Adjust brightness and scroll speed in the sketch to suit your environment.

The Code

This project uses a standard sketch and a sketch that uses a webserver, both sketches are available on GitHub.

working_sketch.ino

//P10 ESP8266 working code

#include <DMDESP.h>
#include <fonts/ElektronMart6x12.h>
#include <Wire.h>


// SETUP DMD
#define DISPLAYS_WIDE 2  // Column
#define DISPLAYS_HIGH 1  // Row

// Number of P10 Panels used (COLUMN, ROW)
DMDESP Disp(DISPLAYS_WIDE, DISPLAYS_HIGH);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);  
  Disp.start();
  Disp.setBrightness(255);
  Disp.setFont(ElektronMart6x12);
}

void loop() {
  Disp.loop();  // Run Disp loop to refresh LED

  TeksJalan(0, 30);  // y position, speed;
}

// SCROLLING TEKS
static char *teks[] = { "pythonessentials.com         BUILD + CODE + CREATE    devstem.org/arduino-course " };

void TeksJalan(int y, uint8_t kecepatan) {
  static uint32_t pM;
  static uint32_t x;
  int width = Disp.width();
  int height = Disp.height();

  Disp.setFont(ElektronMart6x12);  //
  int textWidth = Disp.textWidth(teks[0]);

  if ((millis() - pM) > kecepatan) {
    pM = millis();
    if (x < textWidth + width) {
      ++x;
    } else {
      x = 0;
      return;
    }
    Disp.drawText(width - x, (height / 2) - 6, teks[0]);  // Center the text vertically
  }
}

Troubleshooting

Text not displaying correctly

Check all connections between the ESP8266 and the P10 panels. Make sure the data lines are secure and not loose.

Display not powering on

Verify that your power supply voltage and amperage are adequate for both the ESP8266 and the number of P10 panels you are using.

Garbled text or flickering

Adjust the brightness setting in the sketch or check the refresh rate settings in the DMDESP library documentation.

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ESP8266 and P10 LED Panels - Scrolling Text Display